- The Tiwa language has been officially introduced as a medium of instruction in primary schools in Tiwa-dominated areas of Assam.
- The programme was formally launched at Daboraghat Primary School in Morigaon district by the State Education Minister.
- This marks a historic step towards preservation and promotion of the Tiwa language and culture, long demanded by Tiwa organisations.
About the Tiwa language introduction
- Initial phase coverage: The Tiwa language will be introduced in 62 primary schools located in Tiwa-dominated areas of Central Assam.
- Future expansion: The State Government plans to extend Tiwa language teaching to all remaining Tiwa-majority schools in coming phases.
- Launch details: The Education Minister released the first Tiwa language textbooks during the inauguration.
- Significance:
- It represents an important measure for linguistic preservation and inclusive education among Assam’s tribal communities.
- It aligns with NEP 2020’s focus on mother-tongue-based education at the foundational level.
About the Tiwa language and people
- Tiwa (also known as Lalung) is a Tibeto-Burman language spoken mainly in the Morigaon, Nagaon, Karbi Anglong and Kamrup districts of Assam, and parts of Meghalaya.
- Tiwa is an endangered language of Assam as per UNESCO’s Atlas of the world’s Language.
- The Tiwa people are one of the Scheduled Tribes (ST) of Assam.
- In Assam they mainly inhabit the districts of Morigaon, Nagaon, Kamrup and Karbi Anglong.
- The community is known for their traditional fairs (Jonbeel Mela) and vibrant cultural identity blending hill and plain traditions.
- Tiwa language is recognised as a distinct language in Assam’s ethnolinguistic map and is part of the effort to revive tribal languages through education.
Other tribal / regional languages introduced as mediums in Assam’s primary schools
In line with Assam’s multilingual education policy, the State Government has introduced certain indigenous tribal languages as mediums of instruction in primary schools (as of 2024–25): Bodo, Mising, Karbi, Dimasa, Rabha, Deori, Tiwa
- These efforts are aligned with Assam’s Multilingual Education Programme, under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) and guided by NEP 2020, which emphasises teaching in mother tongue till Grade 5.
Prelims-relevant facts
Theme | Key Facts |
| Language Family | Tiwa belongs to the Tibeto-Burman family of the Sino-Tibetan group. |
| State Initiative | Introduced under Assam’s Department of Elementary Education. |
| Policy Basis | NEP 2020 – Focus on mother tongue/local language as medium up to Class 5. |
| Other Tribal Languages | Bodo, Mising, Karbi, Dimasa, Rabha, Deori, Tiwa. |
| Cultural Significance | Tiwa people are known for Jonbeel Mela, an ancient barter fair symbolising hill-plains unity. |
| Districts Covered | Morigaon, Nagaon, Karbi Anglong (Phase 1 focus). |
| Teachers | Specially recruited Tiwa-speaking teachers have been appointed. |
Statement-based MCQ
Consider the following statements regarding the Tiwa language and its recent introduction in Assam:
- Tiwa belongs to the Indo-Aryan family of languages and is spoken mainly in Lower Assam.
- The Tiwa language has been introduced as a medium of instruction in 62 primary schools in Tiwa-dominated areas of Central Assam.
- Tiwa is one among the indigenous languages introduced as mediums of primary education in Assam under the State’s multilingual education programme.
- The initiative to introduce Tiwa language in schools is aligned with the objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 2, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 3 and 4 only
Answer: (c)
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